THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THIS BLOG IS TO SHARE WITH THE READER ISSUES OF HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE FROM A PROGRESSIVE PERSPECTIVE.
ORDER OF MOST READERS OF THIS BLOG: USA, RUSSIA, FRANCE, UNITED KINGDOM, GERMANY, UKRAINE,CANADA, INDIA,and CHINA.

Saturday, 7 January 2017

RUSSIA: ENEMY OF WESTERN DEMOCRACY?

There is a great deal of continuity in
Russian history from the reign of Peter the Great until the present. There was
clear discontinuity during the Bolshevik Revolution and the brief period when
V. I. Lenin was in power, but then the USSR reverted to some very traditional
practices in domestic and especially foreign affairs. Just as Tsars Peter the
Great and Catherine the Great endeavored to modernize the country economically
in order to strengthen it militarily so it would be competitive with Western
Europe, so did 20th century Soviet leaders use economic
modernization as a means of military strength rather than pursuing greater
social justice.

Naturally, the system collapsed under its
own weight because it became corrupt and inefficient serving the few in the
party bureaucracy to the detriment of the many.

When Mikhail Gorbachev realized
that another modernization attempt entailed scrapping the old Soviet system and
its very expensive foreign policy of supporting satellites (spheres of
influence), he unleashed a new era of an oligarchic crony capitalist system
that the West welcomed as a triumph over the ashes of Communism. Because Russia
does not have the tradition of Western European Enlightenment era bourgeois liberal
tradition, its political economy was merely another layer upon others already
there with more similarities of the Tsarist and Soviet past than with
liberal-bourgeois democratic West.

In foreign affairs, Tsarist Russia had been
on the defensive throughout the 19th century largely because Western
Europe, especially Great Britain and France, had a policy of contained as
manifested in the Crimean War (1854-56). At the same time, Tsarist Russia was
financially beholden to Western banks and it was as economically dependent on and
exploited by the West as Latin America by the US. The Bolshevik Revolution in
1917 and the Putin nationalist-authoritarian regime of the early 21st
century represent an attempt to assert greater Russian autonomy and lessen
dependence on the West while claiming the traditional spheres of influence
around their borders. The obstacle to such goals by the Kremlin has been Western
imperialist policy as much under the Tsars and Soviet era as in the 21st
century under the authoritarian—nationalist capitalist political economy.

Against the historical record of the
Russian Empire and the USSR, one can easily understand contemporary Russian
foreign policy, especially if we consider that the breakup of the Soviet bloc
and ensuing NATO expansion has entailed a much weakened Russian Federation. In
the geopolitical arena where Moscow feels the greatest pressure, the policy of
encirclement by the US and its European partners is at the core of the renewed
East-West confrontation, rather than Russia annexing Crimea (March 2014) and
using its role as protector of the ethnic Russian minority in the Ukraine since
2013.

Russia has taken advantage of the relative
decline of the US as a superpower at a time that China has been rising as the
world’s preeminent economic power invariably siding with Russia not just to
preserve the balance of power in Eurasia but also in the Middle East. If China
had been on the side on the US and NATO on foreign policy issues impacting everything
from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to Iran and Syria, then Russia would have
been substantially weakened in its efforts to insist on preserving or even
expanding its historic spheres of influence in Eurasia and the Middle East. The
shifting global balance of power from the West to East Asia has actually
created power vacuum that Moscow filled, taking advantage of the incalculable
contradictions in US foreign policy – in general opposing jihadists, while
selectively and indirectly supporting them as in the cases of Libya, Yemen and
Syria. These contradictions that entail instability do not serve Chinese
interests as the government in Beijing has made abundantly clear as it seeks
stability around the world to expand its economic empire. China is hardly
interested in strengthening Russia, but only using it as a counterweight of the
imperialist West that seeks to destabilize because it sees this course of
action as its only option to retain its global supremacy.

Taking advantage of the global
destabilizing role of the US and its contradictory foreign policy, Russia took
limited risks both with regard to Ukraine and Syria to assert itself as a
regional power with rights to spheres of influence. This is at the core of the
renewed Russian-American renewed confrontation and the propaganda by both sides
over cyber wars. According to US intelligence services, in 2016 Russia without
question broke into US Democrat Party computers and manipulated the American
people when it came to choosing between presidential candidates in 2016. Although
it WIKILEAKS released hacked emails during the last three months of the
presidential campaign of 2016, and although Julian Assange denied securing
information from the Russians, the US maintained that the source was Russia.
For its part, the Kremlin asked for proof that it is behind the hacking,
although it hardly concealed its enthusiasm for the defeat of the Democrat
Party in the presidential and congressional elections.

Russia’s role in Syria where the US was
eliminated as a player in the negotiations of cease-fire and post-civil war
plans could be one reason for the Obama administration insisting that the
Kremlin was responsible for hacking which no one seriously believes changed the
outcome of the presidential or congressional races. After all, the idea that an
unemployed auto worker in Ohio voted for the Republican candidate because of
Kremlin influence is too absurd to defend even for the most enthusiastic
apologist of the renewed Cold War.

Another reason that Russia made a
convenient target was the challenge of Obama and the Clintons for control of
the Democratic National Committee against those supporting Senator Bernie
Sanders fighting for the party’s future. It could also be a naked attempt to
weaken the incoming Trump administration that has individuals with close
financial ties to Russia and seems more interested in targeting China as the
new enemy than Russia. It is also the case that US is so institutionally immersed
in anti-Russia propaganda going back to the Wilson administration (Bolshevik
Revolution of 1917) that Russia always makes such an easy target. After all,
China can only be alienated up to a point because of the immense US dependence
on Beijing to buy government bonds and trade.

Moreover, the world economy’s fate is just
as dependent, if not more so, on China than on the US. Finally, Russia makes a
convenient distraction because of the reality of decline not just in the
economy but of the middle class and democracy in a country that preaches
freedom and democracy to the rest of the world. If Russia is blamed for all of
America’s problems, then there is no need to look at home for root causes for
the twilight of bourgeois democracy. Whereas Trump wants to blame jihadists,
Mexican illegal workers, China’s supposedly unfair trade practices, and
globalization that takes jobs out of the US, the Democrats and establishment
Republicans see Russia as a weaker and easier target to demonize.

Did Russia manipulate “American democracy”?
On the one hand, there was Trump the billionaire authoritarian charlatan who
uses TWITTER obsessively even before taking office just to make his views known
on everything from refusal to de-link himself from his business interests to
the need for more nuclear weapons and engaging in trade war with China. On the
other hand, there was Clinton the Cold War Democrat with a long documented history
of corruption and questionable ties to Wall Street and wealthy foreign
businesses and governments. She made it clear that she would become president
on behalf of ‘identity politics’ rather than class-based politics that Bernie
Sanders pursued. No “basket of deplorable” working class stiffs who lack the
education and refinement to vote for a Wall Street neoliberal like her need
bother voting because the Republican populist Messiah had hypnotized them with
promises of making America great again.

Amid such stellar ‘democratic’ choices,
both candidates chosen and backed by the elites, the voters were asked to
choose between a traditional Cold War neoliberal and an authoritarian populist
promising even more tax breaks for the wealthy and more deregulation. Neither candidate
was committed to social justice, equality and civil rights. Instead, they
debated lifestyle issues as though they are the core concerns of the majority
chasing the increasingly costly American Dream. They also debated the role of
Russian computer hacking as catalytic to the electoral process, with Trump
casting doubt on the legitimacy of the intelligence services as non-political
entities, while some Republicans and all Democrats castigating the Kremlin for
hacking into US computers.

The Obama administration, the media and
well paid analysts became anxious to drive across the point that American
democratic society is in sharp contrast to Russian society where authoritarian
politics and crony capitalism prevail. Unlike authoritarian crony-capitalist Russia,
democratic US has never meddled in foreign elections; it has never tried to
overthrow governments using the armed forces, CIA counterinsurgency operations,
or any other means ranging from US multinational corporations and US government
spending funds to help elect a favorite candidates. Nor has the US ever engaged
in foreign surveillance through the NSA and CIA with the intention of
manipulation foreign elections. In this oasis of democracy, the aggressive
Russian bear, reverting to its previous Communist tactics, dared to disturb the
political harmony by pointing out the occasional wart on the otherwise refined
façade of the US.

To convince the American people and the
world that Russia is the arch enemy of the entire world because it breaks into
computers of other countries, in sharp contrast with the non-interference
policy of the US that has never dreamed of lowering itself to such practices,
various unnamed US intelligence agencies provided news organizations, including
the Washington Post, with evidence
that Russia hacked the Burlington Electric Company’s main computer which
controls the power grid. Of course, the company in Vermont denied that was the
case, announcing that a laptop was infected but it was not linked to a mainframe.

At least the corporate media did its duty
reporting the information as the government passed on to protect citizens from
the Russian menace, even if that information lacked any basis in truth. If
there were those still unconvinced of Russia engaging in an act of war by
revealing Clinton campaign chair John Podesta’s emails among others, then the
US government, corporate media and corporate sponsors have made available well
paid analysts, journalists, and “experts” to convince the entire world that
they are all in danger of manipulation by Russia. A number of European countries
preemptively announced that they too could be targets. In order for world to
keep its focus on Russia, here are just some of the activities the US has planned.

1.24/7 News and analysis coverage
of “America
Held Hostage by Russian Hackers”. Although hard evidence cannot be
provided because it is simply too sensitive and will compromise sources, it is
the duty of every God-fearing American or citizen of any Western nation to
accept everything government and corporate media dish out without requiring
empirical proof just as you require no proof that God exists.

2.There will be special TV and
radio programs of how “The Russians did it and Must be Punished
for it”. This special coverage will be repeated ad-nauseam to convince
skeptics and Trump supporters that Russia, not the backing of the elements of
the corporate media (FOX NEWS), billionaires, and populists frustrated with the
establishment elected Trump. We know this to be an incontrovertible fact and we
must punish the Commie Russians with more sanctions until there is nothing left
to sanction including their fine caviar and vodka.

3.TV movie of the week and
perhaps a series to follow called “Armageddon: The Showdown with Russia”.
This will allow the viewer to realize that the reason for lower middle class
and working class living standards has nothing to do with the political economy
resulting in capital concentration. No, the real enemy is Russia and that’s why
the minimum wage in Omaha is not rising, that’s why housing is unaffordable for
about one-third of the population, that’s why college debt is $1.3 trillion,
that’s why credit card debt is at $850 billion and auto loans $1.4 trillion.
It’s all Russian hacking to blame and it is your patriotic duty to accept it.

4.A Sondheim Broadway musical
production of: “It’s Springtime for Trump and Putin: Hackers Can’t Fool the CIA and
NSA!” If you enjoyed Mel Brooks’ “It’s
Springtime for Hitler”, you will simply be enthralled by the Putin-Trump love
story with the CIA and NSA just one step behind them singing melodious medleys for
Hilary and Obama in “E Flat minor”, as the most comfortable note to sing in for
the minority political party.

5.“Russian Hackers Must be
Destroyed Now!” video game now available with a
new app for either your cell phone or laptop. If you enjoy such wonderful games
as “Full Spectrum Warrior” “Destroy the
World” and others some used to train soldiers, we have a great one that
will keep you and the whole family entrained while wanting to kill every
Russian until they admit they did the hacking.

6.Merchandizing of everything
from costumes to bumper stickers reading “Russia did it and we Know it” now
available on AMAZON and other online retailers. By displaying this merchandise,
you have the opportunity to let your friends, neighbors, and co-workers know
how you really feel about that Commie Russia enemy of ours hiding behind
Wikileaks, another Commie front organization pretending to do honest
journalistic work. Remember part of the proceeds will go to fund the good deeds
of the Democratic National Convention against rebel types like Bernie Sanders
and the defunct New Deal wing of the party.

7.“Anti-Russia Hacking Parades and County
Fairs” soon coming to your town or near you. These parades will be
featuring not just Cold War Democrats and Republicans but a media circus
sponsored by your friendly defense contractor whose patriotism can only be
measured by cost overruns for the latest fighter jets. Soon there will be anti-Russian
hacking parades at county fairs so people can enjoy shooting a full size doll
of Putin while enjoying a corn dog and a Bud. For every successful hit of the
Putin doll, the Cold War Democrats and Republicans will score another point
with the public proving they are there to protect you from our eternal enemy.

8.Comic strips to run in all
major newspapers and magazines entitled: “Do your Duty and Report Russian Hackers
Near You.” Now the whole family can join in the fun by reporting to the
FBI any neighbor or co-worker that doubts Russian hacking, or even a friend or
relative that has just become a bit too annoying. This is the chance for all
patriotic Americans to prove they are not US intelligence skeptics that is
tantamount to being Russian internet trolls.

9.For skeptics who insist on hard
evidence, CNN and other corporate media giants will make available a video game
entitled “Can We Trust the Russians?” This entertaining video game
approximates how Russian hacking was actually carried out in the world of
virtual reality. Without revealing the identity of any US operatives conducting
their own covert operations against “The Enemy”, this video game will convince
you once and for all it was our eternal Cold War enemy behind all the
calamities that have befallen upon us, including the lead poisoning in Flint
Michigan.

10.In light of the US insistence that the Kremlin deliberately hacked into
US Democratic Party and Podesta’s computers with the aim of undermining
American democracy, the US government is announcing the creation of a new
agency: “Anti-Russia and anti-Wikileaks Hacking Intelligence Network; akaPutin and Assange Are Undermining our
Perfect Society by pointing out our imperfections.” The agency will
track our enemies foreign and domestic, and God only knows there are a lot of
them. If anyone does not believe us, then Homeland Security will declare them traitors
of democracy to be blacklisted and in extreme cases face deportation regardless
of their citizenship status.

There are fundamental policy considerations
at work that go to the heart of America’s inability to live without demonizing
its former Cold War rival. There are ideological, political, geopolitical,
economic, cultural and institutional issues involved that demand a continued
Russian-American confrontation. Even if there is amelioration of US-Russian
relations by the Trump administration, in order to weaken or slow down China’s
global ascendancy, the US will find it difficult to let go of its Cold War
rival. In a future essay, I will analyze the highly politicized intelligence
both rooted in fact and manufactured.

There are obvious benefits to the
financial and political elites for perpetuating the Cold War paradigm with
Russia as the new old enemy and intelligence is only one dimension of this very
complex issue. Unless the US decides what limits it needs to place on its own
global reach and what perimeters it and its allies must place on Russian
spheres of influence, the absurdity of the current policy will continue. Finally, the ultimate absurdity about the very serious issue of cyberspace security is that the US illegally hacking into computers and cell phones of its own citizens in violation of the Constitution (Fourth Amendment) is acceptable in the name of national security, while foreign entities - governments such as Russia and private such as WIKILEAKS- exposing corruption within the DNC is an act of war that must be punished by the most servere means possible! Moreover, US hacking and surveillance of foreign governments, political parties and espionage of foreign businesses and organizations is as acceptable as surveillance of US citizens in the name of Exceptionalism.

"A
gripping, passion-filled, and suspenseful tale of love, betrayal,
political and religious intrigue, this novel entices the reader’s
senses and intellect beyond conventions. Slaves to Gods and Demons
takes the reader through a roller coaster enthralling journey of
personal trials and triumphs of a family emerging vanquished and
destitute after World War II.

Narrated by a young boy, Morfeos, modeled after the Greco-Roman pagan
deity of sleep and dreams, the book reveals the soul of a people trying
to ascertain and assert their identity while rebuilding their lives and
recapturing the glory of a lost civilization.

Seeking liberation from restraints of time, social conventions, and
binding traditions, the deity of dreams provides the conformist and the
free-spirited characters in the novel with venues for redemption that
are mere paths toward illusions. Exploring the complexities of human
relationships shaped by priest and politician alike, the novel rests on
the central theme that life is invariably a series of illusions, some
of which are euphoric, most horrifying, all an integral part of daily
existence.

Striving for purpose amid life’s absurdities after the destruction of
western civilization in two global wars, the characters in Slaves to
Gods and Demons struggle between holding on to the glory and grandeur of
a pagan legacy and the Christian present shaped by contemporary
secular events in Western Civilization."